Samsung Exynos 9611
Samsung Exynos 9611: Overview of the Mid-Range Smartphone Processor for 2025
April 2025
Introduction
In the world of mobile technology, the choice of processor often determines how comfortable using a smartphone will be. The Samsung Exynos 9611, released back in 2019, is still found in budget and mid-range devices in 2025. Despite its age, this chip remains relevant thanks to a balance of performance and energy efficiency. Let’s explore what makes it interesting today, who it is suitable for, and what nuances to pay attention to.
1. Architecture and Manufacturing Process: The Basis of Efficiency
The Exynos 9611 is built on a 10-nanometer manufacturing process, which seems modest in 2025 against the backdrop of 5nm and 4nm chips. However, this technology still provides an acceptable balance of performance and power consumption.
CPU: 8-Core Hybrid Architecture
- 4 Cortex-A73 cores with a frequency of up to 2.3 GHz for heavy tasks: gaming, video rendering, multitasking.
- 4 Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of 1.7 GHz for background processes and power-saving.
This configuration allows for smooth task switching, but by 2025, it noticeably lags behind modern Cortex-A78 or Cortex-X2 cores in processing complex algorithms.
GPU: Mali-G72 MP3
A graphics accelerator with three compute units. In 2025, it handles games at medium settings (for example, Genshin Impact at 30 FPS in HD), but for projects with advanced graphics (like Honkai: Star Rail), resolution reduction is necessary.
Summary: The architecture of the Exynos 9611 is oriented toward everyday tasks rather than extreme loads. Its strengths are stability and moderate heating.
2. Performance in Real Scenarios
Gaming
- Casual games (Candy Crush, Among Us) launch without delays.
- 3D games require compromises: PUBG Mobile runs at medium settings in HD with a frame rate of 40–45 FPS.
- Heating: During extended sessions, the smartphone's casing can heat up to 42–45°C, especially in devices without a liquid cooling system.
Multimedia
- Support for 4K video@120 frames per second (recording and playback) remains an advantage.
- The chip efficiently processes HDR content, which is relevant for streaming services (Netflix, YouTube).
AI Tasks
- The built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU) accelerates scene recognition in the camera, portrait processing, and noise reduction. However, for complex AI models (e.g., generative AI in apps like Lensa), the power is insufficient — operations are performed more slowly than on chips with dedicated AI cores (like Snapdragon 7 Gen 3).
Energy Consumption
- With a TDP of 8W and a battery capacity of 4000–5000 mAh, smartphones can withstand 6–8 hours of active use (surfing, social media, video). In power-saving mode — up to 1.5 days.
3. Integrated Modules: Connectivity and Navigation
- Modem: Support for 4G LTE Cat.12 (speeds up to 600 Mbps). 5G is absent, which in 2025 is a drawback for users living in areas with developed fifth-generation coverage.
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0 — 2019 standards. To connect to Wi-Fi 6, an external adapter is needed, which is rarely found in budget devices.
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou. The positioning accuracy is on par with competitors, with an error margin in cities with high-rise buildings of up to 10 meters.
4. Comparison with Competitors
2019-2021 Generation:
- Snapdragon 730G: Better graphics (Adreno 618) and support for gaming technologies like Vulkan.
- MediaTek Helio G90T: Higher performance in multithreading (Geekbench 6 Multi: ~1300), but with greater heating issues.
Modern Analogs for 2025 (Budget Segment):
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 3: 6nm manufacturing process, 5G modem, but weaker in photo processing.
- Unisoc T820: Cheaper, with 5G support, but less stable in performance.
Conclusion: The Exynos 9611 falls behind new chips in speed and functionality but gains an advantage in software optimization for Samsung devices (e.g., Galaxy A51).
5. Use Cases
Gaming
Suitable for casual gamers. It is recommended to opt for models with 6–8 GB of RAM and a cooling system (e.g., Galaxy A52 2025 Edition).
Everyday Tasks
- Social media, messengers, streaming video — ideal environment.
- Multitasking (simultaneous work with 5–7 applications) is possible but may experience periodic stuttering.
Photo and Video
- The chip supports cameras up to 108 MP and combinations of sensors (e.g., main + ultra-wide + macro).
- AI enhancements: automatic white balance adjustment, scene recognition, stabilization of 4K video.
- Weaknesses: Low processing speed in low light conditions, delays during burst photography.
6. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Energy efficiency: Up to 8 hours of screen time in active mode.
- Support for 4K video.
- Optimization for One UI (relevant for Samsung smartphones).
Cons:
- No 5G or Wi-Fi 6.
- Mali-G72 MP3 is weak for modern games.
- Heating under prolonged loads.
7. Device Selection Tips
- Cooling: Look for models with copper tubes or graphene coatings.
- Memory: At least 6 GB of RAM + 128 GB of storage.
- Display: An AMOLED matrix compensates for the GPU's gaming shortcomings with vibrant colors.
- Prices: Devices with Exynos 9611 in 2025 are priced between $200 and $300 (e.g., Samsung Galaxy A33 5G without the 5G modem, Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro).
8. Conclusion: Who is the Exynos 9611 Suitable For?
This processor is a choice for those who:
- Don’t chase after trends but value stability.
- Record videos for social media and want quality 4K without overpaying.
- Play casually or use retro game emulators.
The Exynos 9611 is an example of a "workhorse" that, despite its age, remains relevant in the budget segment. Its main advantage is proven reliability and the absence of serious software bugs. However, if you need 5G, high-end gaming, or work with neural networks, consider newer chips.